While this verdict in no way eases that pain, I hope that they find some peace and comfort today.". Christian Martin was indicted in the slayings of his neighbors in Kentucky. Ill fight for her, for my father, and Ed until the end of time because they would have for me.". The family of Calvin and Pamela Phillips have long maintained that Martin did in fact have a motive to kill the couple. The vast extent of inquiries was because Calvin was registered as a testifying witness in Christians court-martial, which was scheduled to begin almost two weeks after the slaying. "My father was a federal witness. On the ground, investigators spotted a license plate and traced the numbers back to a woman named Pam Phillips. This undated photo provided by the Christian County Detention Center shows Christian R. Martin. Martin said he considered Phillips an asset in his case. The case was based on accusations of sexual abuse from Martins estranged wife and that he allegedly mishandled classified military information. From last month: After the murders, he also moved from Christian County, Kentucky, and was most recently living in North Carolina, as prosecutors came across no evidence that could initially tie him to the deaths. "I just call her the ex-bigamist," Martin said in the 2016 interview. PEMBROKE, Ky. A former commercial pilot and US Army major is accused in the deaths of three neighbors in a sordid web of allegations including infidelity, murder and political opportunism. Martin, 53, was found guilty ofthree murders,as well as one count of first-degree arson, one count of attempted arson, two counts offirst-degree burglary and three counts of tampering with physical evidence. Before he was found guilty in his court-martial, Martin had hired private investigators to help him build a defense. Calvin Phillips was found shot to death in the basement of his home. In fact, he was grateful to Phillips. Martin and Harmon had split and their marriage was voided three years before the murders after he allegedly found out she already had a husband. However, defense Griffiths indicated that either one of both failed the polygraph & that those tests should be allowed for him to present a defense for his client. According to the attorney general, Christian Martin has been indicted on three counts of murder, one count of arson, one count of attempted arson, burglary in the first degree and three counts of tampering with physical evidence. He said in an interview with WSMV in April 2016 that Calvin Phillips had a long-term affair with his ex-wife that was known to everyone in town.. Hes charged with complicity in those crimes, including murder, because investigators say they cant prove for certain that he himself carried out the killings. IE 11 is not supported. He will be returned to Christian County while he waits for trial. Martin's ex-wife, Joan Harmon, and her son invoked the Fifth Amendment to avoid testifying in the case. Members of the Phillips, Dansereau and Martin families were in attendance Wednesday and emotionalas the jury announced the guilty verdict following several hours of deliberation. Calvin Phillips was found shot to death at his home in Pembroke, Kentucky, on or around November 18, 2015, and the bodies of his wife Pamela Phillips and their neighbor Edward Dansereau. So his family and I believe he is 100 percent innocent. The bodies of Mr. Phillips' wife, Pamela, and their neighbor, Edward Dansereau, were found a few miles away in a corn field in a burned up car owned by Mrs. Phillips. A jury found Christian Richard Martin guilty of all charges against him stemming from the 2015 killings, including three counts of murder. Judge John Atkins asked both attorneys to submit a brief with a ruling to follow before trial. The military court eventually convicted Martin on one count of mishandling classified information and one count of assault on a child. "Instead … the jury acted with misplaced blame disguised as justice.". In the end, the jury did not believe the defense nor Martin's denial of killing the three neighbors. "I think that notion of this star witness thing is absurd, Calvin Phillip's sister, Diana Phillips, told WSMV in 2017. Diana Phillips testified she found what she thought was a shell casing on the back porch. In May 2016, after the homicides, Martin was found not. During closing arguments, Griffiths showed the dog tags to the jury and called it "the most ridiculous piece of evidence I've ever seen in my life.". Christian Martin was arrested at Louisville Airport in connection to a 2015 triple murder case. Court info from 5/22/19 thru 12/17/20 reference post #78 here: 1/21/21 Update: A motion filed last week in Christian Circuit Court, an analysis of "pings" from cellphone towers in and around Pembroke reportedly showed that at the time of the crimes, Martin was in the vicinity of the burned vehicle not at home as he had claimed. "If I had wanted to kill him, that would have been a great time to do it, you know, I couldve just run him over. The prosecution claimed thatDansereauand Phillipswife were collateral damage. Martin, who served in the Army between 1986 and 2016, had been accused by his ex-wife Joan Harmon of physical and sexual abuse and mishandling classified military materials, Daily Mail reports. Outside the house they found blood in the grass and a gun near a neighbors house. Both sides deliver their closing arguments, The jury finds Martin guilty on all charges, The defendant takes the stand and denies he killed his neighbors, Martin breaks down talking about his fianc, Defense firearms expert testified the bullets that killed CP were likely not fired from the defendants Glock, A deputy who responded to the domestic call made by the defendant and Joan Harmon did not arrest Martin because he saw no evidence of violence, Defs daughter takes the witness stand to testify that her stepmother threatened to destroy her dad after he said he wanted a divorce. Hence, the fact that Calvin admitted on record that he never heard about any sexual abuse made him the star witness for Christians defense, not the prosectors. Court info from 5/22/19 thru 12/30/20 reference post #84 here: 2/25/21 Update: Defense attorney Griffiths asked Judge Atkins to dismiss the indictment against Martin based on his belief Lt. Smith provided the grand jury with false testimony regarding the FBIs report pertaining to Martins & Pam Phillips cell phone pings on the day of the murder. "I hope this is a day that brings some justice to these families," Beshear said. As per records, Christians now-ex-wife, Joan, was supposedly having an affair with Calvin, and she also had problems with Christian. And so I owed him for that really," Martin said in the interview. That computer has since been sent to the FBI Crime Lab in Quantico, Virginia & the defense has been assured a report will be made available by next week. Elisha Fieldstadt is a breaking news reporter for NBC News. PREVIOUS STORY >> American Airlines pilot arrested at Louisville airport, charged in 2015 triple homicide. And even after a trial and verdict, the case continues to divide the quiet Kentucky town. Cellphone tower evidence also reportedly places Martin in the area where the remains of Pamela Phillips and Dansereau were found. When police went to talk to that neighbor, they found the backdoor was wide open, the television blaring and an empty holster in a chair like hed rushed out suddenly. But Martin said he wasn't jealous. Police were called out to a field on the edge of Pembroke, Kentucky. In remembering Cal & Pam Phillips this is a place where people can share memories, post news, and pus As for Pamela and Edward, the authorities think that these two were collateral damage to Christians actions. "And the other thing he had done for me was he had gotten me out of this bigamist relationship. The fiance of a commercial pilot charged in a cold-case triple murder in Kentucky is speaking out, saying he's "100 percent innocent.". Having been active community members and adored by all, their sudden passings and the circumstances surrounding it was a complete shock. "My private investigator went through all the allegations with him and just went down the whole line and just refuted everything. The killings happened just two weeks before the scheduled court martial. Eventually, once everything asserted above got combined with the physical evidence found in the Phillips home, which further linked Christian to the matter, he was arrested on May 11, 2019. Matt is Calvin's son. Diana Phillips is the sister of Calvin Phillips, who was found shot in his Pembroke home in November 2015. Works at Gipe Auto Color, Inc. October 31, 2018 - Present. No evidence has been presented to support Martin's claims. "We believe that he is innocent of these charges and hope that the truth will come out.. This was an attack not only on my family but on the entire justice system.". "My father was energetic and outgoing and wanted to see the world, and my mother was quiet and reserved. "He was my star defense witness," he said. According to their obituary, "Calvin Lee Phillips (59) & Pamela J Phillips (57), passed away Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015, in. AN EX-ARMY pilot was found guilty on Wednesday of murdering three neighbors - one of whom he claimed had an affair with his bigamist ex-wife and was testifying in his child rape court-martial trial. The family of Calvin and Pamela Phillips have long contested that Martin didn't have a motive to kill the couple. While they were helping her, they found discs labeled secret operation and a photograph of alleged abuse of Martins step-son. Matt Phillips adds more detail to his aunt Diana Phillips testimony about her discovery of two key pieces of evidence in the Phillips home: Dog tag belonging to Kit Martin found on shelf in the Phillips mudroom on 11/27/15, .45 shell casing found on back porch near cellar door in April 2016, Ed Dansereaus longtime companion/girlfriend gives illuminating testimony about his personality and timeline of her last interactions with him. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. Is there an active shooter in Surprise, Arizona. On Monday, Martin's daughter, McKenzie, also expressed support for her father, telling ABC News in a statement, "My dad is an American hero. Spencer said the allegations against the 51-year-old Martin are false. Best Match Powered by Whitepages Premium AGE 30s Matt James Phillips Hodgenville, KY Aliases Matthew James Phillips View Full Report Addresses The then-American Airlines commercial pilot stood trial for murder, arson, burglary, and tampering with evidence in connection to this case in 2021. "Weve been on a national display since earlyJune, and I believe you all have lived up to your oath as jurors," Atkins said. American Airlines, which owns PSA Airlines, said Martin, who was arrested at a TSA checkpoint as he prepared to fly as first officer from Louisville to Charlotte, was placed on "administrative suspension" pending the outcome of the case. They also claim Martin was targeted by an attorney general seeking to bolster his tough-on-crime credentials as part of his gubernatorial campaign. LOUISVILLE, Ky. Two years after commercial airline pilot Christian Kit Martin was pulled off a jet at the Louisville airport and charged with a gruesome triple murder in western Kentucky, a jury Wednesday found him guilty and recommended he servelife in prison. "And the other thing he had done for me was he had gotten me out of this bigamist relationship. Work. But Martin maintained that he had no motive to kill Calvin Phillips because he believed he was going to be his "star witness" in the upcoming court-martial. He was dismissed from the Army and received 90 days in jail. Martin's public advocatesGriffiths, Doug Martin and Olivia Adamsexpressed displeasure with the jury's verdict during Thursday's hearing, calling Martin a "military hero" who was unfairly depicted as a "monster.". The bodies of Pamela Phillips and Dansereau were found in Calvin Phillips' car, which had been set on fire in a cornfield a few miles away from the couple's home, he said. Calvin's wife, Pamela Phillips, 58, and their neighbor, Edward Dansereau, 63, were also found in a nearby cornfield inside her burned-out car the next day. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. Calvin Phillips was found dead in his Pembroke home the next day and the bodies of Pamela Phillips and Dansereau were found in Calvin Phillips' vehicle, which had been set on fire in a corn field a few miles away from the couple's residence. At the ages of 59 and 57, respectively, Calvin Cal Lee and Pamela Pam J. Phillips were residing in a historic home in Pembroke, where theyd built a good life for themselves. His body was found in the cellar, the cellar doors shut and hidden by a doggie bed. 2023 Court TV Media LLC, part of The E.W. Martin said in the April 2016 interview with WSMV that he suspected Harmon had been involved in a long-term affair with Calvin Phillips. Beshear said his office took over the investigation after Matt Phillips, the son of the murdered couple, met with him two years ago and voiced fears the case might never be solved. ABC station WTVD-TV in Durham, North Carolina, interview with NBC affiliate station WSMV-TV in Louisville, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Martin allegedly broke into the Phillips' home in Pembroke, Kentucky, on Nov. 18, 2015, and fatally shot Calvin Phillips with a .45 caliber pistol, an indictment filed against him alleges. In a statement, relatives said they were "haunted by what was done to them and haunted further that someone was still free to do as they wish, beyond the civility of mankind or laws of our nation.". We found 24 records for Matt Phillips in Hodgenville, Trenton and 14 other cities in Kentucky. Calvin Phillips, 59, was found shot to death Nov. 18, 2015, in his home in Pembroke, a town of about 900 residents that is 10 miles southeast of Hopkinsville. Meanwhile, Martin has become a cause clbre among mens rights groups and others who believe he is being railroaded by the state of Kentucky after being the target of a Pentagon sexual assault witch hunt based on frivolous accusations. "My father was a federal witness. All this is what Christians military trial was for. After what was done to my parentsThey were executed and so, to know that he was still walking around every day is excruciating, Phillips said. Calvin Phillips, 59, was shot to death in the cellar of his home in Pembroke, Kentucky, on November 18, 2015. This booking photo provided by the Christian County Jail in Kentucky shows triple murder suspect Christian Kit Martin. Airline pilot charged with triple-murder while at Louisville airport, when he was arrested on May 11, 2019, as he prepared to fly as first officer on a flight from Louisville to Charlotte, North Carolina, Martin maintained that he had no motive to kill Calvin Phillips, said in an April 2016 interview with NBC affiliate WSMV. "I think his motivation was if I get this guy out of the picture, then I can keep this mistress across the street," Martin said. >>>WATCH FULL TRIAL ON DEMAND: KY v. CHRISTIAN MARTIN. On Saturday, Martin was arrested at the Muhammad Ali International Airport in Louisville, taken off an airplane full of passengers just as it was about to take off on a flight, authorities said. And he said he would present forensic proof that the bullets that killed the victims did not come from his clients gun. 443 South Main Street, which belongs to Calvin & Pam Phillips. The airline pilot arrested over the weekend and accused of killing three people in Kentucky in 2015 had said in an interview months later that he had no motive for the murders since one of his alleged victims was his "star defense witness" in a sexual assault court-martial he was facing. ID - Doomsday Cult Victims - Joshua Vallow, Tylee Ryan, Tammy Daybell, Charles Vallow *Arrests* #72, TX - Former NFL Antonio & Dawn Armstrong, both 42, fatally shot, Houston, 29 Jul 2016 *Mistrials, 3rd trial in 2023*, CA - Malibu Creek State Park Shooting, Tristan Beaudette, 35, died, 22 June 2018 *Arrest* #3, CT - Kathleen Flynn, 11, murdered, Ponus Ridge, 23 Sep 1986 *arrest in 2019*, KY - Ed Dansereau, 63, Pamela, 58, & Calvin Phillips, 53, murdered, Pembroke, 19 Nov 2015 *arrest*, Judge Denies Motion to Dismiss Indictment in Christian Martin Triple-Murder Case, https://kycourts.gov/Courts/Circuit-Court/Pages/default.aspx, Martin Defense Attorneys Still Waiting for Evidence Reports, Box of new evidence found in high profile triple murder case | News | wsmv.com, Polygraph Admissibility at Issue in Martin Evidence Hearing. The triple murder case went cold until 2017 when the Kentucky Attorney Generals Office took over the case after talking to the Phillips family. Martin claims hes innocent, saying he was home with his fiance the day the killings occurred. "So his family and I believe he is 100 percent innocent.". The indictment stems from events that occurred on or about November 18, 2015, in which Calvin Phillips was found shot to death in his home located in Pembroke, Kentucky. "He was my star defense witness," Martin said. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more open and connected. Jury selection starts on. Calvin Phillips was found fatally shot at his home in Pembroke, Kentucky, Attorney General Andy Beshear said Saturday. In an interview with CNN, Matt Phillips said his father was killed before he could testify in a court-martial trial against Martin, CBS News reported. Christian Martin said in 2016 that one of his alleged victims was supposed to be his "star defense witness" in his court-martial. Also at issue are the results of polygraph tests given to both Diana & Matt Phillips about finding the shell casing. But Martin said he wasn't jealous. Kit has given his life to public service and has sacrificed his self for his fellow man," Spencer told WTVD. A car was smoldering - and inside were the unidentified remains of two people. A cell phone expert testifies claims that Martins phone and PPs phone were traveling in the same direction are wrong. In that meeting, the son said he was worried the case had stalled. Martin had hired private investigators to help him build a defense. "You never dream or ever think something like this would happen to your family," John Phillips said, calling it a "nightmare.". But Phillips also told investigators that Harmon had never said she or her children were abused by Martin. Griffiths also said a laptop computer that was used by an investigator to obtain cell phone evidence was corrupted. Griffiths told The Courier Journal in a statement that "we disagree with the verdict, but we understand the jury did their best with the information they had.". Plus, Joan and Calvin found some Army classified compact discs lying around when they were together one day, leading them to make another report. Martin, an American Airlines pilot, was arrested Saturday at the Louisville International Airport as he was getting ready to board the plane. Copyright 2019 WAVE 3 News. "Everyone in town knew what was going on while I was at work every day," Martin said. Tucker Richardson, who defended Martin in during the court-martial said in a statement that when Martin was first suspected of the murders in 2015, "it was believed that Calvin Phillips, one of the victims, was going to be a prosecution witness against Kit, thus establishing a motive. NBC's 'Dateline: The Evil That Watches' profiles a brutal triple murder that left the small town of Pembroke, Kentucky, shaken to its core. "My mom was incredibly kind. Just trying to live your life is nearly impossible with that much pain and this is a step that allows us to go forward and heal, Phillips said of AG Beshears help. "He was my star defense witness," he said. This was an attack not only on my family but on the entire justice system.". While this verdict in no way eases that pain, I hope that they find some peace and comfort today.". His arrest came one day after a grand jury in Christian County, Kentucky, indicted him on three counts of murder, one count of arson, one count of attempted arson, two counts of burglary and three counts of tampering with physical evidence. On the ground, investigators spotted a. On November 18, 2015, they were both brutally murdered. "He was passed out in the road, ODd like a couple months before the murders too," Martin said. Just to keep the records straight - posting a day late Hmmm. that doesn't seem right - jury selection on 5/31 - considering it is Memorial day. It says the trial is in June but doesnt give a specific date. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. "If the jury had known that the person who claimed to find the shell casing did not pass the police polygraph, they would have reached a different verdict. And I was like, Im golden.". From there, Christian was taken into custody for questioning and released days later by the government. The charred remains of Pamela Phillips and Dansereau were found in a burnt car in a field in Pembroke. "Im devastated," Matt Phillips said in a statement to ABC News. The families and the Pembroke community have endured a profound loss. So police drove there to see if anyone was home. Whaley, an assistant attorney general, also told the jurythat the victim's family later foundMartins dog tags on a shelf in their historic home. Matt says he wont speculate on why American Airlines wasnt aware of Martins conviction. However, that happened anyway when he was found guilty of mishandling classified military information and assault. The house was empty, but then police opened the cellar door. The third result is Matthew Wade Phillips age 30s in Dry Ridge, KY. If convicted, he could face the death penalty, prosecutors said. The former pilot was found guilty on three counts of murder, two counts of 1st-degree burglary, arson, criminal attempt to commit arson, and three counts of tampering with evidence. When Martin and Harmon split, she accused him of rape, sodomy, child abuse, child molestation, and stealing a military computer, he said. "The families and the Pembroke community have endured a profound loss. Friends and Family of Cal & Pam Phillips. Woman seriously injured after semi overturns; all lanes blocked on I-64 West to I-264 East, Barnstable Brown Kentucky Derby Eve Gala announced celebrity guest list, Spencer County High School student dies in crash, Operation Return Home canceled for missing teen girls, KSP: Marion County man charged with child sexual exploitation offenses, 2-month-old retriever puppies arrive at Ky. Humane Society after being found in ditch, Louisville man looks to attend his 84th Kentucky Derby. The court-martial found Martin guilty of two counts of mishandling classified information and assault on a child under the age of 16, an Army statement said. Matt Phillips is on Facebook. All rights reserved. In a 2016 interview with NBC affiliate station WSMV-TV in Louisville, Martin claimed Calvin Phillips was having an affair with his then-wife but denied any involvement in the murders. Cal Phillips, who served in the Gulf War, was ready to testify against Martin at Fort Campbell. Christian was their neighbor across the street and a then-Army Major awaiting a court-martial on several charges. The case revolved around Martin's ex-wife, Joan Harmon, accusing him of physical and sexual abuse and mishandling classified military materials. She had a warmth about her that I think, biased as I may be, was incredibly rare," Matt Phillips said. She had accused Christian of sexually and physically abusing her and her children. The attorney general's officetookthe death penalty off the table in the case. PEMBROKE, Ky. After finding Christian Kit Martin guilty of all charges, a jury recommended a sentence of life without the benefit of probation or parole. Martin fatally shot three of his neighbors, Edward Dansereau and married couple Calvin and Pamela Phillips on Nov. 18, 2015, Cameron said. Griffiths suggested the dog tags and the other damning evidence the shell casing and military ID which mysteriously were missed by police who scoured the home must have been planted there, possibly by Martins angry ex-wife, who had vowed to ruin him.
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